Toronto Deals With With The Aftermath Of The Trade Deadline

Although I’m SureEmotional For The Raps, They Play Hard

By: Veronica Harris

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Toronto visit’s Georgia, where the patches grow and the rappers sprout. This is their last meeting with one another and Toronto is looking for a sweep. There were many distractions tonight as today was the trade deadline and there were moves in Toronto and BIG ones at that. Toronto traded JV,Delon Wright, a 2024 2nd round pick as well as CJ Miles to Memphis for Marc Gasol. No Kawhi tonight as he will take time to rest.

(Jump Ball)

Thanks to John Collins, the Hawks got on the board early and led the game into its first timeout with 5:56 to play in the first. Vince Carter checks into the game getting a big round of applause before he dishes the ball behind his back to Jeremy Lin who gives it to De’Andre Bemby for a corner three ball. Then Ken Bazemore and Carter both hit a trey ball leading the Hawks on a 21-6 run. Where is Marc Gasol!? The Raps need a 3-point shooter to step up right now. Carter finished the quarter missing both free throws but finished the game with 9 pts, 2 reb and going 3/6 from beyond the arc.

The Hawks outplayed Toronto in the first half draining three balls every chance they got. They went 16/35 from beyond the arc, staying just enough ahead of the prehistoric dinosaurs to make them work. But not for long because the Raptors came within 1 pt with 9:39 to play but then John Collins went in to the two handed dunk .

The Raptors smartened up in the 3rd quarter hoping to keep this win streak going and finally taking back the lead with 52 seconds left to play. This game was a struggle for Toronto and if it were because of being tired I don’t see it getting much better because they are now only a roster of ten players!

Ibaka and Van Vleet had an accident and ran into one another causing Ibaka to check his finger and take a break off court. Ibaka finished with 12 pts & 5 reb.

Fun Fact: Serge Ibaka had eight straight double doubles being the first since Chris Bosh who had 9 back in 2009.

There were a little halt in the game due to a shot clock problem and a (bad) call from the ref who said it didn’t go off Kyle Lowry’s hand but clearly did. Off the inbound 6’9 Omari Spellman got blocked by OG Anunoby which is why Masai Ujiri didn’t trade him.

Toronto wins! But you know that since the middle of the 4th frame. The Raps biggest lead was 21 pts and continue their 3 game win streak heading to New York Saturday to face the last place team in the conference- the Knick’s and newly traded Dennis Smith Jr. Tip off is at 7:30pm.